Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga is to play for Middlesex in English county cricket's Twenty20 competition, the club announced Thursday.

The 28-year-old, whose unusual 'slingshot' action makes him difficult to face, is one of the world's leading limited overs bowlers and is currently the leading wicket-taker in the Twenty20 Indian Premier League, having taken 20 scalps for the Mumbai Indians.

Malinga's international commitments mean he will be unavailable for Middlesex's opening three T20 matches against Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire but he is down to lead the attack in its final seven group games.

His first appearance for Middlesex is due to be against Essex at Lord's on June 21.

Middlesex managing director Angus Fraser, the former England seamer, looked forward to Malinga's arrival at Lord's by saying: "We are all naturally thrilled about the prospect of a player of Lasith's talent coming to the club.

"In t20 cricket every county is looking for a bowler that provides their attack with variety, the ability to bowl during Powerplays and at the death, basically something different from the norm and in Lasith we will have the best in the world."